RELATED ARTICLES

Many people are now looking at the Patriots as possible #1 seed contenders in the AFC and some even envision them as future Super Bowl participants.

I however look into the future and see the Patriots failing to secure the number one seed and see them as unlikely to reach the Super Bowl this year.

Mainly because I still view Denver as the team to clinch home field advantage and the Patriots to get no further than the same hurdle they've fallen at in the last two years.

As great as it would be for the franchise to reach another Super Bowl and possibly get Brady his fourth ring, they face a major problem.

New England really the favourites?

New England are on form, yes, they're looking good for the Super Bowl, yes but out of the top four teams in the AFC and their two real competitors in the AFC East, they undoubtedly have the toughest next five games.

The Patriots face tough trips to the Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers while welcoming the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions to Foxborough.

The Lions and Colts are top of their respective divisions whilst the Dolphins lie third in the AFC East with a 5-3 record and a win over the Patriots already this season.

As for the teams around them, the #2 team in the AFC - the Broncos, welcome the Bills and Dolphins to Denver where they have looked unstoppable.

They now face two consecutive games on the road at the Oakland Raiders then the St Louis Rams which SHOULD be two easy victories.

The Colts toughest games will surely be the visit of the Patriots and a trip to the inform Cleveland Browns whilst the Bengals horrendous performance against the Browns tonight makes them look like less of a challenger.

The Pittsburgh Steelers however - who were fifth in the AFC before the Browns and Bengals game pose a very dangerous threat as the season moves on.

Of course the Patriots will face some competition in their division as both the Dolphins and Bills have shocked the NFL this season and could pose late season threats to New England's AFC East dominance.

However you choose to look at the run in for the rest of the regular season and the play-offs, it goes without saying that the Patriots will need to be at their absolute best if they hope to be in Arizona come February.

Do YOU want to write for GiveMeSport? Get started today by signing-up and submitting an article HERE: http://gms.to/writeforgms

Report author of article

DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

Want more content like this?

Like our GiveMeSport Facebook Page and you will get this directly to you.